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Last year DIRECTV blurred the line between HD DVR and regular HD receivers with the introduction of the Whole-Home DVR service. This year they improved that service by adding their newest HD receivers the H25-500 & H25-100. The small size and the major speed of these receivers make them the perfect partner for any Whole Home DVR setup.

AM21N

DIRECTV's commitment to offering HD Locals to as many customers as possible was extended again this year with the addition of the newest Over the Air tuner for the HD DVR: the AM21N. This connects to any HD DVR HR21 and newer and incorporates your over the air channels right into your guide. The matte finish matches the latest model HR22s.

DIRECTV Application for iPad

DIRECTV's iPad app gives you the power to control any networked HD receiver in your home, scroll the guide or your playlist, set recordings, check out what the latest DIRECTV cinema movies are playing, or even check the score of your favorite game.

Wireless Digital Cinema Connection Kit (WDCCK)

Are you looking for a way to connect your HD DVR to the internet to have access to DIRECTV Cinema and DIRECTV Apps without having to run extra cable in your home? This wireless adapter works with all setups: those that have SWiM as well as those that do not. Plug it in, set it up and forget about it, it just works.

This year DIRECTV added some new software features to the HD DVR's making them much more user friendly including:

Cover Art for programs in the Guide and Playlist. This makes each show you highlight in guide or list pop out and be easier to recognize.

Smart Search was enhanced to give Top Matches, now when you type in your search the feature will not only show what you are looking for but will include other programs that are close to what you were originally searching for giving you more options.

Trailers were added to DIRECTV Cinema giving those with an internet connected HD DVR the ability to watch the movie trailer before choosing to purchase the movie.

YouTube was added this year to the list of features on the HD DVRs and now you have the ability to search for your favorite YouTube video using Smart Search and watch that video right on your TV.

This year also included a new Enhanced Channel Banner. You now have more options on the Channel Banner including the newest feature Last 4, the ability to see the last four shows you were tuned to and tune directly to those programs. The new Channel Banner also includes features like adding a channel directly to your favorites list and turning Closed Captioning/DIRECTV Subtitles on and off.

DIRECTV added support for External Drives with Advanced Format 4k Sectors giving users the flexibility to add large external drives to their HD DVR's to increase storage.

What's coming next? We don't know for sure but the buzz is all about the HR34 Home Media Center DVR, the new High Definition User Interface and the Nomad. Keep your eyes open for the DBSTalk.com First Look. The future is bright.

I'm happy that, except for 3D support and WHDVR on the H20, DIRECTV's been able to add all the new features/functions over the years to the existing HD hardware platforms. Keep up the good work DIRECTV!

I'm happy that, except for 3D support and WHDVR on the H20, DIRECTV's been able to add all the new features/functions over the years to the existing HD hardware platforms. Keep up the good work DIRECTV!

I agree. For me, it turned out fortunate that the H20 was incompatible, my wife decided it was time to get a second DVR to replace it. For a while, I was a bit ticked that I couldn't put on a USB network adapter.

I appreciate the software improvements implemented this year including the new info banner and quick tune. The new iPad app also shows great promise. However, the software is still too buggy. As much as I'd like to see an HD-resolution guide with more customization options, I'd really like them to take a few months and just focus on getting the bugs out and optimizing the code.

.................... There are none so blind as those who can not see it in HD........... Directv customer since January 2000...........

I signed up for Directv earlier this month and have been enjoying the HR24 and H25 I received. I like Directv's DVR much better than Dish Network's, and even noticed some features I missed when I had a Tivo several years ago. I experienced a couple of glitches with the HR24 (weird sound and locked up when I hit the 8 second back button too fast) but nothing that a restart didn't clear up. Overall I'm very happy, I get the Rockies in HD full time, and free Sunday Ticket for one season. Satisfied customer!

They have came a long way since these came out, but they still got a ways to go. I'm hoping for faster GUI and Channels I Get that works would be great for next year's goal. Getting Media Share better would be a bonus...

What would be interesting to see would be a side-by-side feature comparison of the various models, from HR20-700 to the latest HR24. How do they compare in command response, channel changing, HDMI compatibility, hard disk size, supported modes (whole house, 3D, OTA), etc?

Maybe this exists here someplace, but I don't seem to find it. Maybe this would make a good "annual report."